Reviews

Cute with a really refreshing uplifting story. (very underrated!)

the main thing I like about it, is how it shows the animals creature and goes into detail on some of it, it's really beautiful.
in general I've never seen a drama about animals before? and it really makes you love those creature even more.

it's lighthearted and has very uplifting vibes in it which really I loved about it, you know sometimes you just need a silly drama to smile at and have a good time watching it.

highly recommend watching it since it's 7 episodes only it will finish before you realize it ^^

Read More

Honestly would have gotten a 0 if it weren't for this.

I am not surprised at how this turned out. I actually marked it in my "Not Interested" list because I didn't enjoy the first season at all but then got pressured to watch it anyways.


Firstly, the story was very questionable. It feels the screenwriters decided to pave the way for a new story without more character development. I get that season 1 had most of the character development, but if you want to re-use the character development from season 1, you have to stay consistent with your plot in season 2. At this point, it just felt like they were trying to appease the general public with the way they set season 2 because we all know who Jojo really liked. If you didn't watch season 1, you would know that the public was rooting for HyeYoung (me included). However the thing that comes with second leads is that they are sometimes better off without winning the girl's heart (e.g. My First First Love 1 and 2 being the exact epitome of this series). If they stuck with Sun-Oh, then this drama might have had more popularity. Now, public opinion is basically this: "You can't just change the first season's male lead into the second lead in the second season." Also, one thing thing that was probably the film maker's worst fail was spacing season 1 and season 2 too far apart. It may be just because of COVID delays, but by the time I watched season 2 (which I binged on March 14 2021) I already forgot all of the character's names and who they were except Guk Do and Gul Mi.

As for the cast and characters, it wasn't half-bad. Let's just say I was very confused at Kim So Hyun's acting. I couldn't get the emotions she was trying to convey. It might be because I had the first season imprinted into my brain, though. Song Kang's acting was actually quite good this time. I could feel the emotion behind his character, though I still think SunOh the character was too crazy and abusive with the Jojo situation. As for the whole "Brian Chun" situation, I just felt like that was uncessecaryy. **As what my title probably click-baited you to read, the only thing that saved this was Sun-Oh and Yuk Joo's relationship. I fell WAY too hard for Yuk-joo. She was just such a pure and innocent soul. She's the only character that made my heart act up.

Overall, I would NOT RECCOMEND.

Read More

I actually watched this drama a few years back (maybe 2008) so you must be wondering why I am writing the review now, we'll I was just bored in bed thinking of my favorite dramas and this was one of the first that came to mind. Fated to love you was one of he first dramas I ever watched and the first one to ever make me cry. With that said you should know that I am not a cryer and I don't mean a few tears but ugly crying for a long time. It had a really nice story/plot there was no dull moment. It had a good rhythm and a nice pace to it. The main story was really interesting but it wasn't the only good story the other characters stories were really intriguing.

The cast was amazing I liked all of the characters, they had good chemistry among all of them. It wasn't just the main couple who had great chemistry but the other couples too. The female leads family was so adorable and funny (it reminded me of my family). I loved the grandma she was just awesome. The rivals in love did a good job in been likable without stealing the spotlight (which happens often), the main leads really stood their ground and delivered. They were some good actors, they showed great chemistry and skills.

When it comes to music I don't quite remember all of the songs but there is one song that to the day, almost 5 years later, is still one of my favorite songs of all time. I can't remember the name but this one song was hypnotizing. I hummed that song for one year straight I couldn't get it out of my head. I know it wasn't bad music because I remember very well the things that I don't like and I don't remember much about the music except for that song.

I've never rewatched this drama, I usually rewatch,but the reason is because I don't like crying and I know this drama will make one cry. Also because the dramas that I rewatch I usually scan through but ii just can't do that with this drama. But ii do think about Watching it again every once in a while.

Overall it is one of my favorite dramas of all time, good acting and great story. For some who are hardcore Taiwan drama lovers like I am, this drama may seem like your classic Taiwanese drama t first but it really isn't. The ways you connect with the female lead is like no other, I am sure you will enjoy it. This starts out to be a quite sad but it gets better and better as the female lead changes. I recommend it to all!!!!!

Read More

Cute LGBTQ drama

I must admit I wasn't too bothered when I watched the trailer so didn't give this much thought when it first came out, however, I have finished watching it now and I quite enjoyed it.

I was a bit concerned at first with the heart transplant situation that this was going to go down the route of "I'm not actually gay it's because I have a woman's heart that I'm attracted to you" but thankfully this wasn't pushed. None this nonsense of "I'm only really gay for you" (*cough* SOTUS, 2gether).

The main end scene with Tian/Phupha could have been done slightly differently in my view which would have flowed better, and it drags on a bit at times but they are minor gripes. Other than that I would probably echo most of the positive comments and reviews and won't bore you with the same things again.

I just wanted to say though that Mix's acting in this is very good for a rookie actor. He should be very proud of himself, and I hope GMMTV appreciates it. Sadly, I'm not sure they will as they seem to want to stick to their usual pretty but talentless cash cows which is a shame. But who knows - maybe I will be proven wrong this time.

Earth does a decent job as well but Mix really steals his scenes in this for me. White as Tul also does a good job - he only has as few scenes but they are memorable so a good job from him as well.

All and all a decent series with good acting and an interesting story.

Read More

Total Waste of Time

I kept watching each episode, expecting something exciting will happen. Alas, it was one boring episode after another. By the last 2 episodes, I fast forwarded so many times just to get over this dud of a drama. This was a non-story with the over the top screaming and screeching from the stepmother to the unhinged daughter that did not really add to the drama and their scenes were just fillers in my opinion. I was expecting an exciting ending with the "who done it" reveal only to be extremely disappointed and that was after an extensive attempt on the part of the writer to increase the suspense. A total yawn of an ending.

Read More

I'm surprised that this has a really low rating.

The story was really solid, maybe not as solid as Signal, but it definitely is at the upper tier. Some say the first half of the drama was really slow. It maybe was, however, I liked how the foundations of their love was laid at the first half. It seemed like a romance series sans sci-fi because it showed the typical married life. It maybe dull for some but I could definitely see my parents in them. Also, sex was quite a taboo in some series, so I liked it how they tackled that issue here.

The second half was where the rising action came in. The first half made a good foundation on why both of them were willing to do what they did. Not just both of them, but most of them. Most of the character developments were displayed really well, though some of them were a miss. Nonetheless, they played very minor roles so they did not exactly affect the plot that much. The second half was really fast, in a good way. The episodes transitioned seamlessly that I did not notice that it was coming to an end. I felt like the finale could have done better because the intensity from the previous episodes fell too fast. It was satisfying, though. I get to see a half hour of them together, so none of that sad love.

I actually watched it because of Lee Je Hoon (been following him after Signal) so I was surprised that I liked Shin Min Ah here. Both of them had great chemistry that, like I already said, it felt like I was watching a real couple. They were really cute. All the other characters were great as well though the chemistry between So-joon and Ki-doong were more of a brotherly/bff type than the bromance they were pushing for.

Overall, it was a really great romance series, like a breath of fresh air so it's quite surprising that it's just 8.2 because it deserves more than that. It maybe because it's a little too heavy for some people (I regretted watching it but I was already hooked) and its target audience are adults/mature so it's pretty limited. It doesn't take away its greatness. Goes to show that some gems are not appreciated by most people.

Read More

Is not that bad as people complaints

Shocking title, I know... the thing is, to wrap up the entire series is a good ending. One of the main complaints I read here and in other forums is that the special is full of reused footage and so, that's a big lie.
Over the 1 hour and 19 minutes of the special, it has:
- 15 minutes of re-used footage (8 at the beginning and 7 at the start of the last third of the special)
- 4 minutes of bloopers at the end
- and 1 hour straight of new footage

So, don't believe that this is a summary of the whole S1 and S2.

Now, about the story, actually is meant to be a wrapping-up episode and it accomplishes its goal. I like that the actual wedding was short (around 9 minutes at the ceremony) because, actually, seeing a whole weeding preparation and so would take hours and it would be deadly boooring.
Don't mind too much about the plot, it has no drama, is just the closure for the series and they develop a good job, the house is mesmerizing (I fell in love with the house hahaha) and the happy ending was cute.

Don't look at this as a cinematographic wonder, is just a special episode for fans, nothing more. Enjoyable, yes... outstanding, well, no, but it doesn't have to, the whole series worth it.

Read More

Gonna Make This Short

Don't start it. The end.

You're still here? OK...here's the deal. If you grew up on American Daytime soaps, especially the half hours from Search For Tomorrow to Santa Barbara, you will get hooked. A/The Secret House fills the 'it's so bad it's good' hole left empty by the slow demise of the daytime soap operas in the US. I specifically mention half hour soaps because if you watched them, you're used to the pace at which ASH moves. I'm not saying it's good or bad, but just typical. Telenovela watchers consider yourselves warned, too.

The writing could, no should have been better. They had too many storylines going all at once . There was no way to satisfactorily handle them and tie it up in a neat little bow as we all know they do. For me the ONLY saving grace was for the character Ham Sook Jin. Oh did I love to hate her! As I stated on the drama's page, I think the writer(s) had a thing for Agnes Nixon's daytime because Ham Sook Jin was like if Erica Kane and Dorinan Lord (look them up if you don't know) had a baby. She's deliciously conniving and unapologetic.

More than half of the 8 points (4 stars) I gave the cast were for HSJ's portrayer, Lee Seung Yeon. In the hands of a less skilled actress the character could have turned into a caricature. This entire drama was carried on the back of the more "seasoned" professionals. The ML has gorgeous teeth and is damn attractive. That's all the good I can say. The FLs (I supposed that's what they were) aren't the best actresses I've ever seen. The 2nd ML was a better actor than the other leads (if you don't count Lee) and he wasn't that good. Although, I will admit, he seemed to get better as the series progressed.

There was nothing music wise that is worth mentioning. The re-watch is zilch. If you catch me watching this again, someone paid me.

Overall, it's a typical revenge plot. Had the writers concentrated on that storyline instead of creating so many other unnecessary ones with obvious conclusions. A Secret House would have been a much better watch.

Read More

Ultimate slow-burn in the bustling nerve wrecking imperial palace

This one genuinely won hearts; it won’t leave you craving for more because they gave us everything.
The initial lack of romance pointed out, is a crucial stepping stone for the development of the relationship between the main characters. This might change from person to person but the trust, bond, and belief they had in each other that came together the way it did due to all those episodes that literally serve this purpose.

In many dramatic works, the characters are often portrayed as one-dimensional and lack the depth that is required to fully engage the audience. However, this particular drama stands out in that each character possesses a unique set of traits and motivations. The character, Xue Shu, is a prime example of this well-developed and multi-faceted approach to characterisation. Her actions not only facilitated the meeting between the female lead and the second male lead, but also had a profound impact on the entire court, leaving the powerful Duke Xue speechless in the process. Moreover, her actions served to reverse the plans of the female lead which was a strong move from Fl’s side. This is a rare and impressive feat in the realm of dramatic works and serves as a testament to the author's ability to craft complex and nuanced characters.

Initially, I thought that there would be a couple of episodes specifically devoted to flashbacks. However, it turned out to be surprising as we were able to get an idea of the events and storyline from the past through brief glimpses, without actually having to witness them visually.

Kudos to the actors who made those characters alive.
Jiang Xuening is definitely a rebel to the social norms back then when it came down to the people she cared about, she went all the way to not let the past repeat.
Xie Wie, if confident, visionary, scheming, cold, possessive, and talented was a person he is the one. He’s a 10 (only for the FL *cough possessive cough*) but definitely can’t fight.
Yan Lin grabbed us with his charming, extroverted personality, let’s not mention the fight scene which definitely hooked and gave us relief with his entry when Duke Xue surrounded Xie Wie and Zhang Ze.
Zhang Ze (the righteous man who can’t be real) has the kind of judgement everyone would crave, his vision into other's perceptions and diverse view of the situations will leave you all wondering his IQ level. He’s a 10 and there’s no but…
Xue Dingfei, Dao Qin, Lyu Xian, You Fangyin, Xiao Bao, Princess and Jiang family each have unique personalities, which will keep us invested in their character build up. Each of them true to their character had one or another scene where the attention to the drama reaches maximum.
Duke Xue, Xue Shu, The Emperess and Zhou Yinzhi will keep the edge and rage alive, that itself says how well the characters were portrayed.

Even though politics and drama rule this drama, the scenes cut to a different level will bring you back to laughter immediately from the tense situation. The realization of getting finally attached might be too late. For me, it was You Fangyin’s fate that made me realize this.

The scheming plots were executed with great precision, and many aspects of the plan felt natural and logical. The decisions made were not forced or repetitive, and everything flowed smoothly even in the most challenging situations. This was definitely a 10/10 for me.

Read More

Kooky lighthearted Romance Comedy

This show maintains its theme all the way through - it starts as a lighthearted ridiculously kooky comedy in the Josen period and maintains that feel till the end. It never takes itself seriously but does use comedic timing and funny characters to make social commentary on serious subjects like suicide, LBGT rights, maternity and paternity leave as well as interesting conversations about what is the role of marriage in the fiction of society.

It does a great job balancing moments of character development and growth without losing the fun silly nature of the drama which makes each scene enjoyable to watch. I particularly enjoyed the character of the female lead who is forward, perceptive and bold. She’s a breath of fresh air in a line up of FL leads that shy away from intimacy and communication. In contrast, this FL could stand perhaps not to communicate so often. Still her dynamic with both the ML and SML is very fun to watch.

The interactions of the ML and the SML also enhanced the show. They have an incredibly pure friendship that shone through and was wonderful to watch. All in all, this was a very enjoyable 12 episode drama and I would definitely recommend this show.

Read More

A Youth Drama with a Twist

This is a youth love story with a pinch of mystery and a whole lot of heartache. Initially, I was interested in this drama because not only did I keep hearing about it but also because it has been compared to Someday or One Day which is one of my top favorite dramas.

For me, comparing this drama to Someday or One Day was setting the bar a bit high. While Shining For One Thing shares similar themes of youth, mystery, and a deep love between the main couple. Someday or One Day’s focused more on the fantasy and mystery aspect while Shining For One Thing focuses much more on the youth aspect.

Things I Loved:
- Lin Bei Xing (FL) is smart, capable, and brave. I loved those moments when she wasn’t afraid to give her opinions openly and without caution.
- Zhang Wan Sen (ML) is incredibly sweet and though he’s very smart, he’s not cold, just a bit shy. I don’t think he has a mean bone in his body and loves fiercely, albeit quietly.
- Mai Zi, everything about him is pretty much wonderful and anyone should be so lucky to have him as their friend. He is friendship goals.
- There are some absolutely heart-wrenching scenes as well as some really beautiful happy scenes.
- The cinematography was done very well. There are many beautiful and memorable scenes throughout this drama.
- The OST is fitting and complimented the story and scenery very well. (I’ll be adding a few songs to my OST playlist for sure.)


Things I Didn’t Love:
- A lot of scenes were repetitive, (mostly flashbacks). While this is to be expected in any sort of time-loop/time-jump/universe jumping genre, they flashback to the same scenes over and over and over. If I saw the fire scene one more time I swear…
- They spent a lot of time on the youth and school stuff which I wasn’t really expecting. I understand this is to show the relationship building between the mains but there is this huge mystery looming in the background and there were several episodes where it had very little focus if at all.
- I could have completely done without the 2nd couple. Even now, having just finished the drama yesterday, I can’t remember anything interesting about them.
- Although there are wonderful and thrilling scenes, for me, it felt very “hurry up and wait”. What I mean by this is that I often felt like I was waiting for an exciting scene to happen but when they finally happened, to me they felt a bit rushed. Something about the pace of this drama just felt a bit choppy.
- “Why is no one calling the police?!?!” <- I must have said this to myself at least a half dozen times. There are so many times when the police should have been called which likely would have prevented the very event Lin Bei Xing was trying to avoid.
- A lot of things about the universe jumping weren’t explained. In a drama like this where you’re trying to piece together the mystery yourself, I find it frustrating when you’re left with too many hows and whys. In that aspect, the drama feels incomplete.


Overall, I’m happy I watched it. It was mostly very enjoyable and I think people who like the youth genre will love this drama. However, for me, because it was compared to Someday or One Day my expectations were different and I think that may have hurt my opinion of Shining For One Thing. This is not a bad drama by any means, it just didn’t hit me as hard as I was expecting it would.


Would Recommend
Will Not Rewatch - (However I will watch the movie when that is released)

Read More

Must watch. Hidden gem. Emotional roller coaster.

Such an amazing drama. Enjoyed every minute of this. Feom 1st to last episode, it's roller coaster of emotions. All 3 lead actors who played LeeKangSan, LeeHaneul, and YookDongJu really did an amazing job. LeeKangSan is definitely visual material. I found myself more attracted to the actor who played LeeHaneul.??. I should call him ajussi?. But no worries. And the one who played younger version of him was definitely a great choice. They somewhat resemble too.
The actor who played yukDongJu did his job well. But i was like, comparing to his father and mother combo, he is more like their adopted son?. His father was super cute /handsome?
LeeTaeMan was a scary psyco. But i feel like LeeMyeongSeok is going to be the worst vilian. The ending was definitely indicating season 2. I definitely going to wait for however much time it takes for season2..

Read More